With autumn now underway, robins will start to become more visible in gardens across the UK. If you want these charming birds to treat your garden as home, there is one thing you can do to help them.
Cooler weather means food sources for birds become more scarce, and a great way to help robins and other birds is by leaving food out for them. The Woodland Trust says one way to draw robins to your home is to turn the soil and unearth insects and worms for them. You may notice a robin hopping along behind you while you dig the garden – that’s them hunting for bugs.
If you want to tempt them further you can try leaving feeding trays out for them. Robins are ground feeders so are more likely to eat from the grass. A mixture of bird seed, sunflower hearts and robin’s favourite – mealworms – will work a treat.
Dried mealworms soaked in water are perfect for robins as they give additional moisture.
Bird tables are another good option for robins but make sure that any food left on the table is removed if it gets wet. Damp seed and other food can quickly become mouldy which can make birds sick.
If you can find a covered feeding table this is best as it keeps the food dry but also protects birds from predators and stops wood pigeons stealing all the food.
Another way to draw robins and other birds to your garden is by creating a living larger. Plant berry-rich shrubbery to provide food, and shelter for birds. Shrubs such as hawthorn, rowan and holly provide food and shelter, while sunflowers and teasels supply seeds and honeysuckle offers dense cover and attracts insects, a vital food source.
It’s also a good idea to make sure you always have fresh clean water in the garden such as a bird bath, perfect for drinking and bathing.